Sri Lanka government must protect freedoms of expression and association - Core Group at UNHRC

by Staff Writer 21-06-2023 | 11:27 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Commission said that it urges the authorities to work with the High Commissioner and his office and remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing HRC resolution 51/1.

The Sri Lanka Core Group comprised Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the UK and the United States.

"We welcome Sri Lanka’s initial steps towards addressing concerns around land returns, long-term detentions and corruption," said Rita French, UK Human Rights Ambassador.

The statement said that these steps can provide a basis to begin a process to protect the rights of all Sri Lankans, from all ethnic and religious communities.

"We remain concerned by the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We acknowledge an ongoing effort to replace the PTA and urge the Government to ensure that terrorism legislation is consistent with Sri Lanka’s international obligations," said Rita French, UK Human Rights Ambassador.

The Core Group on Sri Lanka also called on the government to protect freedoms of expression and association.

"As Sri Lanka takes forward its stated commitment to reconciliation, we stress the importance of transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and of building meaningfully on past work and recommendations that address the root causes of conflicts and impunity," she noted in her statement for the Core Group.

It is crucial that Sri Lanka safeguards its representative democracy by maintaining voters’ confidence in the country’s electoral systems and ensuring the independence of its institutions and commissions, the statement added.